Romelu Lukaku Reveals His Reason for Joining Manchester United in 2017

​Romelu Lukaku has spoken openly on signing for Manchester United in 2017, revealing that the 'trust' he felt from the club as a whole and a phone call from Jose Mourinho were pivotal in him moving to Old Trafford.

The Belgian forward has since moved on from the Red Devils, signing for Internazionale for a fee of around £73m, bringing with it an end to two seasons in the north west that yielded 42 goals in all competitions.

Speaking during a podcast with ​Utd Report, Lukaku has now discussed the reasons why he swapped Everton for ​United back in the summer of 2017, with the overall willingness the club exhibited to bring him to Old Trafford playing a crucial role in his decision.

"I felt the trust, I felt the trust more, where everybody wanted me to be there," the 26-year-old said. "Because Man Utd, everybody wanted me, there was no doubting, they came they told me we're going to do this and this."

The former ​Premier League striker then shed light on a phone call from then-manager Mourinho took place which he at first thought was a wind-up, before realising the Portuguese boss' desire to sign him was anything but a joke.

"I was in New York, I was walking, then I get this phone call from this number and I'm like 'what's this?' I pick up and it's Jose Mourinho and he's like 'hey Rom how are you doing? I'm going to get you back, we're going to pay £75m plus £15m in bonuses by next week so I expect you in LA'."

"I thought the dude was lying. [...] I had to go back to Everton on the seventh of June I think. Bro, sixth of June I wake up in the morning and boom, I see they agreed the deal."

​Lukaku then explained he also held talks with United's executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward, who all-but assured him that he was making the right choice after feeling the faith the club showed in him.

He concluded: "I spoke with Ed Woodward as well, he's like the GM, spoke with him and we had a quick conversation, we spoke twice I think, and in that conversation I could feel his trust."